A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. (Applause.)
The 11/6/08 - STATED - 2ND READING Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080622-A.
An ordinance amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter regulating the erection, use and inspection of tower cranes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Madam President. I move to amend this bill. The technical amendment was circulated in caucus this morning. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the amendment be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? 11/6/08 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. Councilwoman Brown, I believe your light is on. Did you want to be recognized?
The Chief Clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 080744.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hotel Room Rental Tax," by providing for an additional excise tax on hotel room rentals and designating the expenditures for which such tax will be used, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. 11/6/08 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes, and the record will reflect that Councilman Kenney did abstain. That concludes our Calendar for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. This morning on the way to work I saw a 7-year-old young lady being escorted to school by her grandparent, and in celebration of what has occurred nationally, I asked the young lady what she wanted to be when she grew up. She was young. She's African American. And she responded by saying, I want to be President of the United about this wasn't her response, but what was the response of the grandparent, who looked at her and said, Today I think she could be some day President of the United States. So I just wanted to go on the record saying that things have changed. Things have changed in this nation for the better. I also encourage our Mayor, as he goes forward with some difficult days on the budget, to stand and be a responsible steward for the fiscal condition of this city. And just like Obama, when he accepted his task as being the President-Elect, he did so with the knowledge that there would be difficult days ahead, but if we work together, both Council and the Administration, the three words that got Obama through are the three words that will get this city through, which is "Yes, we can." (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Madam President. On Friday, October the 31st, Villa, formerly Sneaker Villa, opened its twenty-second store on Wadsworth Avenue in the Wadsworth Plaza located in the 1600 block of Wadsworth Avenue. This store is their first location in Mount Airy. This is a true beginning of our efforts in the northwest, and particularly in the Wadsworth area, by the Mount Airy Revitalization Corporation to diversify the kinds of businesses in our community. So we welcome Villa to our community. In 1989, Villa opened its first door and has locations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. We welcome them because they are a strong community partner and has worked with schools, our city and community groups to community service, education initiatives, anti-violence programs and economic investment. To date, Villa has performed over 3,000 hours of community service and completed 60 service projects. We look forward to working with them. We're pleased to have them in our community. And on that day, they presented to the Mount Airy Revitalization Corporation and to Future Minds, which is a tutoring program sponsored by Susan Cook at the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center, $500 each, and that was matched by $500 each by the owner of the Plaza, Mr. George Nelson. So it has brought a lot of goodwill to the community, as well as resources to help our young people, and we thank them very much for being good corporate partners. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. I would just like to go on the record to thank everybody who came out on Election Day. The turnout was tremendous. People stood in rains and long lines. I was at 12th and Susquehanna, where there was a three-hour wait. People were bringing umbrellas and pretzels to keep people there. A movie star showed up to keep people in line and get their picture taken. And I want to thank all the citizens of Philadelphia who participated in this election who do so consistently, but also welcome all those who voted for the first time, the young people and others, and encourage them to stay involved, not just in these national elections but in our very important municipal elections and other elections. So I want to thank the people who voted to bring great change to the United first African American President. Their effort, their vote has changed the way this nation looks at itself. It has changed the way the world looks at the United States of America, and they should be commended. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adjournment until Thursday, November the 13th, 10:00 a.m., 2008. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, November 13th. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on November 6, 2008, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)